4 men sentenced for roles in 2017 Lincoln shooting

Friday

Four men have been sentenced for prison for their roles in a shooting incident in Lincoln in 2017, Logan County State's Attorney Bradley Hauge announced Friday.

The shots were fired Oct. 1, 2017 in the 700 block of South Walnut Street.

Gerald Thomas Jr., 27, was found guilty in December of two counts attempted first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. On Feb. 12, Associate Judge William Workman sentenced Thomas to a total of 86 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Based on Illinois law, Thomas must serve at least 85 percent of the first 76 years, Hauge's office said in a news release. Thomas also received credit for the 429 days he spent in custody while awaiting trial.

Workman also accepted plea deals for three other men involved in the case.

Jeremiah Friend, 19, was sentenced to 26 years for one count of attempted first degree murder, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release. Friend must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence and was given received credit for 220 days spent in pre-trial detention.

Casey Cottrill, 24, and Shondale Henson, 24 each pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and were sentenced to 10 years and 8 years in the Department of Corrections, respectively. Each must serve 85 percent of the sentence and each must then serve three years of mandatory supervised release. Cottrill received credit for 435 days spent in pre-trial detention and Henson received credit for 434 days spent in pre-trial detention.

“The senseless gun violence exhibited by these men will not be tolerated,” Hauge said. “The people who live in this community deserve to feel safe in their homes and also in public. Those who have personal disagreements should keep these sentences in mind before turning to firearms to settle their differences.”

Lincoln Police, the Logan County Sheriff's and Illinois State Police investigated the case.

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